Hi Cruisers...my wife and i will be heading to Alaska on the RCCL Serenade of the Seas for a one week cruise this coming August.

This being our first trip on a ship. We were wondering if we might get some input from others that have made this trip before on what i might expect to pay for on board expenses.

We will want to try the 2 pay for dining rooms and will probaly consume(wine and cocktails) about 7 drinks a day each. (we're on holidays) We have the casino, shopping, off ship, and tip expenses figured.

Anyone done about the same dining and drink we want to do that can give us a idea of a ballpark cost.

I don't know specifically about Serenade; but the alternative dining rooms have a "service charge" of $15 to $25 dollars. Drinks and wine by the glass are in the $7 to $9 range. Wine by the bottle starts at around $22.

To add one more to the list, beer is in the $3.50 to $5 range. Bear in mind that all bar orders carry an automatic 15% tip added to the tab, so a $6 rum and coke will actually be $6.90. These tips are separate from those given to your dining room staff and cabin attendant.

Hi fastblackca, welcome to Cruise-Chat. We normally budget $100/pp per day for our extras. If the casino is not kind to me, which lately it hasn't been, you can add more from there. Hope you have a fantastic adventure. Best wishes!